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    [Editor’s note: I requested that Gabe allow me the use of this platform once again. I wanted to share my thoughts on obstacles on the path to achieving our goals. He generously agreed to the request. The words below are all mine. –Stephanie]If we had to pick a motto at Kaplifestyle, it would very likely be…

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  • Breakfast on the Go

    I celebrated the opening of the new year with a snowboarding adventure in Whitefish, Montana. Because I flat out love food and hate wasting a meal, relying solely on airport food wasn’t going to cut it.  Packing some nutrition for the hours prior to getting settled in the sleepy little mountain town was an absolute…

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  • Gabe Kapler

    If you’ve been reading this blog for a bit, you know one of our themes revolves around mining for the answer to the question “why?” I believe strongly in this concept. The modern day baseball player does too, and we are lucky to be in a generation where players don’t blindly follow direction. They require explanations…

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  • Gabe Kapler

    One of the best catalysts to jump start your 2014 healthy living program is removing soda from your daily eating plan.Whether your goal is to lower body fat, improve vitality or just generally be healthier, replacing the sugary, carbonated artificially flavored beverages with water will drastically increase your chance for success.Everyone knows that soda has…

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  • Gabe Kapler

    I appreciate all the great questions. Take a look at my previous posts if you’re curious about supplements, general workout routines or how I structure my workout days. Jeremy asks, “Gabe, can you give us an example a sample one day diet outline for yourself?” Love this question. Here’s an ideal day.6:45am: Tall glass of water…

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  • Welcome to the Kap LifeStyle

    My favorite part of playing MLB was preparing for the season. I did traditional weight training, but my repertoire also included early morning swims in the Pacific, pickup hoops, football and much more. Sprinkle that with my love for quality, flavorful food and a passion for how nutrition affects performance and you’ve got a man…

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  • Walking for Digestion

    Taking a walk after a meal burns calories, but more importantly, stimulates and improves your digestion. Dinner tonight in Milwaukee was a 10 ounce New York Strip steak covered in blue cheese, grilled beets and carrots with an evening stroll on the side. Hand in hand with my date (my laptop and work bag), I…

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  • Perpetual Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving’s main function is to make us more aware. Sure, turkey, stuffing and pecan pie rule the day, but slowing down to be present, even if only for 24 hours, is equally as palatable and has a longer lasting effect. I sometimes wonder if extending our presence and gratitude beyond that single day is the…

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  • Cooking Trial and Error

    Don’t let fear of mistakes stop you from cooking dinner. You needn’t be perfect in the kitchen; you simply need to be brave. I made oxtail tonight. I did it all wrong, and it was phenomenal. Author Jeff Potter’s take, via ivillage.com: Potter is eager for cooks to bring science back into the kitchen, and…

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  • Small Steps

    I am always up for a challenge. I relish attacking them with trial and error. In this case, a kaplifestyle.com reader came to me with a big challenge. I’m definitely in over my head here, but not a bit scared. Let’s dive in. Hey Kap, this is maybe an odd question, but do you have…

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I aim to plan and consciously choose all of my indulgences. I have the knowledge and willpower to do so, but occasionally, I will have a substantial misfire.

I was in Boston, my home away from home, for the 2004 World Series reunion. I splurged nutritionally as I had intended, but I didn’t map out my large nutritional stumble while watching the game.

I had it all pre-navigated. My two men (12 and 14) and I love to experience travel through food. We think it’s the most efficient and interesting way to explore the culture of a city. We discussed the trip ahead of time and decided on three restaurants where we would fully indulge and eat like kings. We’d start with the team dinner at a fine steak and seafood house, follow it up with breakfast the next morning at a bakery, and finish it out with lunch at a tapas joint in the South End.

The first night the three of us shared bone in filets, swordfish steaks, oysters, giant shrimp, crab cakes, lamb chops, chocolate cake, apple crisps and cold vanilla ice cream. I enjoyed a few glasses of whiskey, neat, and my boys drank Sprite. We left the restaurant 1 for 1. Remember, this indulgence was planned.

The next morning, we went to a bakery suggested by a Boston-based chef friend. The boys picked up scones and French toast; I scored big with a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a crusty roll with spinach and tomato. The bite came complete with a Dijon mustard finish that struck a chord with me, managing to last all day. 2 at bats, 2 knocks.

After mobbing around on the T train all morning, making our way to Harvard and back to Downtown Crossing, we landed at our destination for lunch, Toro. Theo Epstein made the recommendation after I mentioned that my boys and I were on a food adventure. This is the guy who went out to get the “washed up” 2002 version of David Ortiz, so he’s proven his scouting mettle. If he thinks it’s a worthwhile trip, I’ll take his advice.

Back to food.

Rather than turn this post into a restaurant review, I’ll keep it simple. I had an out of body experience. Every small plate that arrived was visually captivating and stunning on the palate. We sprinted the gamut. From spicy curry beef empanadas to cauliflower with golden raisins and pine nuts to the pièce de résistance, roasted bone marrow with radish citrus salad and oxtail marmalade. This dish, holy fuck. Our waiter described it exquisitely as “like rich, hot, beef flavored butter.” I was now 3 for 3 and ready for my final at bat.

A theme throughout this entire trip was advance planning. My first mistake was not preparing for this final meal. I figured my boys and I would just eat at the ballpark and didn’t put much thought into it. I knew that the options would be plentiful and come in large quantities. I wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I quickly got off course.

I was running around at Fenway from this place to that, answering questions and meeting folks. My boys were on their own and already up in the suite by the time I arrived around the start of the first inning. They had eaten pizza, snacks and fruit, totally what I expected for them. I walked in starving, my second mistake.  I reached for a plate and piled on decent looking veggies, a huge mound of guacamole, and the only available protein, stale fried chicken strips. I could have reached into my bag and opened a can of wild caught salmon. I didn’t. My defenses were down. I hadn’t snacked. I ingested that garbage and suffered strike one.

You know my stance on processed foods. Those frozen chunks of flour covered meat product provide little nutritional value. I had already experienced a whirlwind day filled with emotion and exertion, and the pizza under the heat lamp began to look lovely.

I advocate indulgence, but I advocate planned, quality indulgence. This was neither. I scarfed down a piece and the drugs hit my bloodstream. I couldn’t chew fast enough. Strike two.

The final pitch of the at bat came in and I chased it. I scarfed down a few more slices, knowing even as I did so that it wasn’t my finest hour.

3 for 4. In baseball that’s a hell of a day. Nutritionally, I expect 4 for 4s from myself almost always. I’m in control, so the high bar is appropriately set. Rather than dwell on it, I’ll do what Manny tells us to do after a rough at bat. “Turn the page, papi.”

I write this from the plane the following morning. I’ve turned the page. Today, I’ve ingested steel cut oats, fresh organic blueberries, a pile of kale, a chunk of a ham steak, a few fresh scrambled eggs and organic black coffee.

In my bag, I have a large salad with tons of fresh veggies, almonds, chicken, organic Hannah yams. I also still have that wild salmon I passed over for pizza in a box.

I’m back on track. I remember last night’s at bat and will make the adjustment without carrying the emotion of yesterday over into today’s game.

I hope you’ll share your stories of strikeouts or home runs in the comments section below.

Kap